2022-12-31-accounts - Milton Keynes And District Reform Synagogue

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Milton Keynes and District Reform Synagogue

Financial Accounts

31 December 2022

Charity Number 1058913

Milton Keynes and District Reform Synagogue

Financial accounts

For the year ended 31 December 2022

Contents	Page
Legal and Administrative Information	1
Trustees Report	2 - 4
Independent Examiners Report	5
Statement of Financial Activities	6
Balance Sheet	7
Notes to the accounts	8 - 11

Milton Keynes and District Reform Synagogue

Legal and Administrative Information

Status

The synagogue was registered with the Charity Commission on 23[rd] September 1996 and is governed by a constitution and rules adopted on 28[th] June 1978.

Trustees and Council Members

Mr M Neville Honorary Co-Chair Mrs Lou Tribus Honorary Co-Chair Mrs P Dorrance Honorary Treasurer Mrs S Katz Honorary Secretary Mr M Pruskin Honorary Warden Mr R Assenheim Mrs C Assenheim Mr M Kushner Mrs S Friedman

Charity Number

1058193

Principal Address

Hainault Avenue Giffard Park Milton Keynes MK14 5PQ

Independent Examiner

Mr N Boyce FCCA Hickeson Boyce Chartered Certified Accountants 68A high Street Stony Stratford Milton Keynes MK11 1AQ

Bankers

Barclays Bank plc PO Box 170 Milton Keynes MK6 1AL

Milton Keynes and District Reform Synagogue

Trustees Report for the Year Ended 31[st] December 2022

The Trustees present their report along with the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2022. The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out on page 8 and comply with the applicable law and the requirements of SORP (FRS 102), Accounting and Reporting by Charities.

Constitution and Objects

The Milton Keynes and District Reform Synagogue, known in Hebrew as Beit Echud, is constituted under a deed of trust established in 1979 and is a registered charity No 1058193.

The principal objects of the Synagogue are the promoting of Judaism in the spheres of public worship, religious, educational, social, cultural and charitable activities.

Structure, Governance and Management

The Synagogue's governing document is its constitution, which is reviewed periodically. The Trustees of the Synagogue are its Council Members, including the Honorary Officers, who are elected by the membership in open meeting. There is also provision for up to three members to be co-opted to serve on Council until the subsequent Annual General Meeting.

The Trustees normally meet eight to nine times a year and there are Sub-committees and Groups that report to the council, which then approves their activities. The main Sub-committees and Groups are:

Ritual: This committee deals with all aspects of the provision of Synagogue services including festivals;

Cheder education: This committee deals with the provision of religious schooling for children of members, through to bar/batmitzvah age and beyond.

The Council, which takes appropriate external advice where necessary, makes all significant operational decisions except the appointment of a rabbi. The constitution requires that the appointment of a rabbi be approved by the membership in open meeting.

External Affiliations

The constitution provides that the Synagogue shall be a member of the Movement for Reform Judaism, for which benefit, affiliation fees are payable at a percentage of the previous year's subscription income. One of the benefits of membership of a synagogue is the availability of a burial plan, and a proportion of members' subscriptions are specifically levied in this respect: this is paid by the Synagogue to the Jewish Joint Burial Society.

Achievement of Objectives and Review of Activities

A full review of Synagogue activities is contained in the Synagogue's latest Annual Review which is circulated to all members prior to the Annual General Meeting. The key achievements during the year referred to in the Annual Review were:

Ritual: Service leadership was shared between visiting student rabbis and our own lay readers. Last year, due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, most services were held online. This year we have been able to transition back to having most services in person.
Cheder and Education: Cheder classes returned to the Synagogue in September 2021. Numbers have increased due to new families joining the Synagogue. We held monthly adult education sessions which have proved very popular.
Social: We were able to hold parties to celebrate major Jewish holidays, including Purim, Sukkot and Chanukah. The Reading Group and Sewing Group have met monthly.
Welfare: The Welfare Group is running with the aim of keeping the Synagogue in touch with 2
all members.

Milton Keynes and District Reform Synagogue

Trustees Report for the Year Ended 31[st] December 2022 (continued)

Communication to Members: A weekly newsletter was sent to members via email. In addition, the Synagogue magazine, ‘Listen’, is produced quarterly and in circulated to members via email and post. Copies are also placed on our website.
Grants: This year the High Holy Day Appeal beneficiaries were MacMillan Cancer Support and Trubys Garden Tea Room.

Financial review

The Statement of Financial Activities for the year to 31 December 2022 is set out on page 6 of the accounts and shows a net operating surplus of £5,981 for the year. This compares with last year’s surplus of £15,531. Because of this surplus, the Synagogue's reserves now total £210,531.

Plans for the Future

Within each of our main categories, the following are the short/medium-term goals:

Rabbinic Support: We will liaise closely with Leo Baeck College and the Movement for Reform Judaism to ensure that we have sufficient visits from Student Rabbis.
Ritual: We will continue to hold weekly Shabbat services, alternating Friday evenings and Saturday mornings. We will hold services for the High Holy Days and major festivals. We will continue to hold some services in person and some online, to meet the varying needs of our members. The initiative to train new wardens and lay service leaders continues.
Cheder and Education: We will continue to encourage local families with small children to join the community. We plan to continue further integration and merging between Cheder and the remainder of the community, with more social events and occasional child-friendly services.
Programme Development: We will continue to evaluate methods of encouraging involvement by a broader range of members by offering more choices of activities.
Welfare: We will continue to deliver support to the membership, particularly the elderly and recently bereaved. To build closer relationships between the Synagogue and the wider Milton Keynes community, we will continue to encourage the use of the hall by suitable outside groups.

Reserves Policy

It is the policy of the Synagogue to maintain our unrestricted funds, which are the free reserves of the Synagogue, at a level that is adequate to keep the Synagogue solvent. In conjunction with the subscriptions and other incoming resources, this provides sufficient funds to cover the administrative and support costs of the Synagogue.

The restricted funds are funds donated to the Synagogue for expenditure of a specific purpose or nature and are held in an appropriate form to enable the funds to be applied for the purpose for which they were established.

Grant Making Policy

The Synagogue pursues its charitable giving mainly through the High Holy Day Appeal. Our policy is to make grants out of donations received and only to registered charities, whether in the UK or overseas.

Milton Keynes and District Reform Synagogue

Trustees Report for the Year Ended 31[st] December 2022

(continued)

Risk Management

The trustees have examined the major strategic, business and operational risks which the Synagogue faces and confirm that systems have been established to enable regular reports to be produced so that the necessary steps can be taken to mitigate risks as appropriate.

Trustees’ Responsibilities in Relation to the Accounts

The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the board of trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial period which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity at the period end and of its incoming resources and resources expended during that period. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to:

Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently
Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent
State whether applicable accounting standards and statements of recommended practice have been followed subject to any departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements, and
Prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the requirements of applicable law and regulations. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The charity has taken advantage of the exemption in Charities SORP (FRS102) from the requirement to produce a cash flow statement because it is a small charity.

This report was approved by the trustees on 2 July 2023 and signed on its behalf by:

Martin Neville Co-Chair of Council

Lou Tribus

Co-Chair of Council

Milton Keynes and District Reform Synagogue

Independent Examiners Report to the Trustees of Milton Keynes and District Reform Synagogue For the Year Ended 31 December 2022

I report on the accounts for the trust for the year ended 31 December 2022, which are set out on pages 6 to 11.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity’s trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).

I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act

Independent examiner’s statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or
the accounts do not accord with those records; or
the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view’ which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

N Boyce FCCA Hickeson Boyce 68A High Street Stony Stratford Milton Keynes MK11 1AQ

Date: 25 July 2023

MILTON KEYNES AND DISTRICT REFORM SYNAGOGUE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022

INCOME AND EXPENDITURE Notes INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS Subscriptions (Net) Income tax recoverable on subscriptions Donations and legacies Income tax recoverable on donations JJBS Interest Income from charitable activities [2] Other incoming resources [3] TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES EXPENDITURE Expenditure on raising funds: Services and festivals [4] Education [5] JJBS MRJ affiliation Synagogue magazine Charitable donations Building: Running expenses [6] Depreciation [7] Other resources expended: Administration [8] General expenses [9] Fund raising [10] TOTAL EXPENDITURE Net gains/losses on investments NET INCOMING RESOURCES FOR THE YEAR RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD	Unrestricted Funds £ Restricted Funds £ Total Funds 2022 £ 22,827 0 22,827 4,762 0 4,762 6,333 1,435 7,768 1,213 0 1,213 0 5,902 5,902 102 0 102 27 0 27 5,017 4,479 9,496 40,281 11,816 52,097 2,550 0 2,550 2,420 0 2,420 0 5,902 5,902 1,517 0 1,517 70 0 70 96 1,435 1,531 6,653 7,337 13,990 19,264 0 19,264 4,439 0 4,439 23,703 0 23,703 1,053 0 1,053 3,231 4,479 7,710 144 0 144 4,428 4,479 8,907 34,784 11,816 46,600 484 0 484 5,981 0 5,981 204,550 0 204,550 210,531 0 210,531	Total Funds 2021 £ 20,601 4,700 6,326 729 7,027 9 14 4,234
		43,640
		770 1,463 7,327 1,283 150 840
		11,833
		8,409 4,439
		12,848
		1,115 2,169 144
		3,428

		28,109
		0 15,531 189,019
		204,550

MILTON KEYNES AND DISTRICT REFORM SYNAGOGUE

BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2022

FIXED ASSETS Tangible fixed assets: Building [11] Religious Ritual Items [11] Furniture & Fittings [11] Leasehold land [11] Investments [12] CURRENT ASSETS Debtors and Prepayments [13] Cash at Bank and in Hand CURRENT LIABILITIES Amounts falling due within one year [14] NET CURRENT ASSETS TOTAL NET ASSETS FINANCED BY Unrestricted: General Fund	£ £ £ Cost brought forward and carried forward Depreciation to date Net book value 2022 159,952 82,975 76,977 2,566 2,566 0 46,666 45,786 880 15,000 15,000 224,184 131,327 92,857 2,473 95,330 7,633 111,326 118,959 3,758 115,201 210,531 210,531 210,531 210,531	£ £ £ Cost brought forward and carried forward Depreciation to date Net book value 2022 159,952 82,975 76,977 2,566 2,566 0 46,666 45,786 880 15,000 15,000 224,184 131,327 92,857 2,473 95,330 7,633 111,326 118,959 3,758 115,201 210,531 210,531 210,531 210,531	£ Net book value 2021 80,976 0 1,320 15,000
			97,296 1,849

			99,145
			105,405

			204,550
			204,550
			204,550
			204,550

Approved by the Executive of the trustees (the synagogue council) on 2 July 2023 and signed on its behalf by

Priscilla Dorance	Trustee and Treasurer
Lou Tribus	Trustee and Chair
Martin Neville	Trustee

MILTON KEYNES AND DISTRICT REFORM SYNAGOGUE NOTES TO ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022

1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES

a) Accounting convention The accounts have been prepared on an accruals basis and under the historic cost convention and are shown in pounds sterling. They are in accordance with the requirements of the Statement Of Recommended Practice on Accounting by Charities (FRS102) under which advantage has been taken not to include a cash flow statement.

b) Subscriptions and other income Subscriptions are included on the basis of those due for the current year after making allowance for any amounts that are unlikely to be collected.

Other income is recognised in the year to which it relates.

c) Income tax recoverable

Income tax recoverable has been included to the extent that it arises on gift aided donations received during the year.

d) Depreciation The building is being depreciated at 2.5% per annum on cost.
Where the trustees consider that there is no impairment in the value of the leasehold at the year end it continues to be reflected in the balance sheet at cost.

Religious Ritual Items are being depreciated at 25% per annum on cost. (2021:25%) Furniture and fittings are being depreciated at 25% per annum on cost. (2021:25%)

e) Funds accounting

General funds are unrestricted funds which are available at the discretion of the Trustees for particular purposes. Restricted funds are funds which are held for specific purposes.

f) Going concern

The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties relating to going concern and the accounts have therefore been prepared on this basis.

2 INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES Judaica TOTAL 3 OTHER INCOMING RESOURCES PACOV Trip Hall hire Rituals festivals Non cash asset donation TOTAL 4 SERVICES AND FESTIVALS Kiddush and catering Lay readers, visiting rabbis Ritual, festivals, choir TOTAL 5 EDUCATION Cheder materials Cheder teachers Conference bursaries TOTAL	Unrestricted Funds £ Restricted Funds £ Total Funds 2022 £ Total Funds 2021 £ 27 27 14
	27 0 27 14
	4,479 4,479 4,505 4,505 2,385 372 372 0 140 140 1,849
	5,017 4,479 9,496 4,234
	421 421 20 1,273 1,273 750 856 856 0
	2,550 0 2,550 770
	96 96 1,724 1,724 1,463 600 600
	2,420 0 2,420 1,463

MILTON KEYNES AND DISTRICT REFORM SYNAGOGUE NOTES TO ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022

Unrestricted Funds £ Restricted Funds £ Total Funds 2022 £ 6 BUILDING Electricity 2,050 2,050 Water 383 383 Garden 2,355 2,355 Cleaning/ hygiene consumables 3,305 3,305 Repairs and maintenance 9,068 0 9,068 Security: keyholding 499 499 Furniture & fittings <£1,000 1,604 0 1,604 TOTAL 19,264 0 19,264 7 DEPRECIATION Depreciation on furniture & fittings 440 440 Depreciation on building 3,999 3,999 TOTAL 4,439 0 4,439 8 ADMINISTRATION Postage 94 94 Telephone 924 924 Data protection 35 35 TOTAL 1,053 0 1,053 9 GENERAL EXPENSES Insurance 1,255 1,255 Professional fees 636 636 Council member travel expenses 234 234 Non trustee expenses 48 48 Website 162 162 Welfare 318 318 PACOV Trip 578 4,479 5,057 TOTAL 3,231 4,479 7,710 Included in Professional fees is £630 relating to the independent examination fee. 10 FUND RAISING Social events 144 144 TOTAL 144 0 144 11 TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS Leasehold land and building Religious ritual items Furniture and fittings £ £ £ Cost At 1 January 2022 174,952 2,566 46,666 Additions Disposals At 31 December 2022 174,952 2,566 46,666 Depreciation At 1 January 2022 78,976 2,566 45,346 Charge for the year 3,999 440 On disposals At 31 December 2022 82,975 2,566 45,786 Net book value At 31 December 2022 91,977 0 880 At 31 December 2021 95,976 0 1,320	Unrestricted Funds £ Restricted Funds £ Total Funds 2022 £ 2,050 2,050 383 383 2,355 2,355 3,305 3,305 9,068 0 9,068 499 499 1,604 0 1,604	Total Funds 2021 £ 2,076 208 760 514 3,938 467 446
	19,264 0 19,264	8,409
	440 440 3,999 3,999	440 3,999
	4,439 0 4,439	4,439
	94 94 924 924 35 35	99 981 35
	1,053 0 1,053	1,115
	1,255 1,255 636 636 234 234 48 48 162 162 318 318 578 4,479 5,057	1,161 598 18 34 162 196 0
	3,231 4,479 7,710	2,169
		144
	144 0 144	144
	Leasehold land and building Religious ritual items Furniture and fittings £ £ £ 174,952 2,566 46,666 174,952 2,566 46,666 78,976 2,566 45,346 3,999 440 82,975 2,566 45,786 91,977 0 880 95,976 0 1,320	Total £ 224,184 0 0
		224,184
		126,888 4,439 0
		131,327
		92,857
		97,296

Included in leasehold land and building is £15000 related to leasehold land which was acquired in 2002 on 125 year lease and

MILTON KEYNES AND DISTRICT REFORM SYNAGOGUE NOTES TO ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022

12 INVESTMENTS Cost At 1 January 2022 Additions Disposals Revaluation At 31 December 2022 Amortisation At 1 January 2022 Charge for the year On disposals At 31 December 2022 Net book value At 31 December 2022 At 31 December 2021	Other investments £ 1849 140 484
	2473
	0
	0
	2473
	1849

During the year the investments were donated and are shown at their market value on the date of donation and at the year end.

13 DEBTORS AND PREPAYMENTS CST Grant Tax Refund on Gift Aid subscriptions Tax Refund on Gift Aid donations Insurance (prepayment) Pacov Trip Late subs Hall Hire MRJ levy Website TOTAL 14 CREDITORS Cheder consultant Kiddush Outreach Rep Student Rabbi Cleaner Garden work Cheder materials Pacov expense Key deposits Accountancy fee Building maintenance JJBS Refundable travel JJBS Over age on account Electricity Subscriptions paid in advance TOTAL	Unrestricted Funds £ Restricted Funds £ Total Funds 2022 £ Total Funds 2021 £ 528 528 135 4,762 4,762 4,700 1,213 1,213 729 100 100 92 200 200 0 22 22 646 646 1,301 0 17 162 162 323
	7,633 0 7,633 7,297
	0 504 5 5 0 220 348 348 176 176 260 260 79 79 346 346 95 95 70 630 630 594 0 588 1,450 1,450 1,450 117 117 0 284 252 252 2,180
	2,096 1,662 3,758 5,890

MILTON KEYNES AND DISTRICT REFORM SYNAGOGUE NOTES TO ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2022

15 RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

There were no related party transactions that require disclosure.

16 TRUSTEE REMUNERATION AND EXPENSES During the year no trustees received any remuneration. Charitable, education, building, administration and fundraising expenses totalling £8314 were reimbursed to seven trustees.

17 STAFF COSTS

During the year there were no members of staff employed by the charity.